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For the next couple of months, the Rutland Arena will be the sight of thunderous hits and electric goal scoring as the Kelowna Raiders return to the floor for their lacrosse season.
The Raiders are a part of the Thompson Okanagan Senior Lacrosse League (TOSLL), which currently has three other teams, the Armstrong Shamrocks, Kamloops Rattlers and Princeton Rangers.
Since 2001 Kelowna has been in the league, however, back in 2018, they had to shut down due to lack of participation.
“We didn't have a team in 2018, as we couldn't wrangle enough guys together and that was really hard," said Raiders captain Sean Blake.
"I have been playing for this team since 2011. I came onto a team that won four straight championships, and then we slowly watched the love of the sport in this community die and it was hard to watch."
"It is good to be back firing on all cylinders again."
Now, the club has returned from a COVID absence and they are eager to help out with the the minor league lacrosse teams in the Kelowna area.
“I’ve been playing since I was three years old, so just giving back to the kids and to the community to grow the sport in the Okanagan is huge for us,” explained assistant captain Andrew Garant. “The passion that we have for the game is what we want to give the kids in the next generation coming up.”
Assistant captain Cory Seigner thinks its paramount to show up to local clinics to help the next batch of lacrosse players.
“We do a lot of work. Andrew does a lot of clinics for the KMLA (Kelowna Minor Lacrosse Association),” said Siegner. “We are doing a lot of work with just coaching in our community, getting out to the practices and helping train the kids.”
“For us, when we put out a roster of 20 good guys, some of these guys have played professional lacrosse and their names are known."
"If we put a good foot forward and have all these kids from Kelowna minor lacrosse and people come out to our games to support it, and they see the level of lacrosse we are bringing, I think it inspires kids to get involved and it inspires the young kids to up their game and get better.”
Blake echoed Siegner's statement.
“It is all about helping build the community of lacrosse from the younger age, so everything we can do to try and support younger players and grow the sport at those levels will filter up to our level.”
The Raiders season got off to a roaring start last weekend in their season opener. They ripped apart the Rangers to the tune of 18-3.
This Friday will be the team’s home opener.
“For anyone who likes a physical game, definitely come out to Rutland Arena at 7:30 pm this Friday for the home opener," said Garant. “We are playing Armstrong and they are the defending champs so I think it'll be a nice, fast paced competitive game and if people like to see goals, we are going to score a whole bunch of those as well."
"It’s a rivalry that is 20 years in the making,” Blake mentioned. “Our assistant captain Andrew Garant is going to score a bunch of goals, so come watch it, it is going to be fun!”
Tickets will be available at the arena for $5 and there will be concessions and a beer garden.
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